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232 N. Alabama St., Indianapolis, Ind. , Wednesday, May 5th, 1880. My dear Mr. Muir, I shall callyou that, even if you
are married, for you had no business to take such an important step without asking our advice. Perhaps you do not know that
you have been our sweetheart since we were little things, Katie and I. Now that I have made you aware of the fact, imagine
our feelings on hearing of your desertion. If it had not come from so reliable a source, Prof. Jordan, we could not have believed
it. Well, as it must be so, I suppose we shall have to congratulate you and the young lady who is so happy as to be Mrs. John
Muir. I cannot bear to write the name. Mr. Muir, how could you do it? She must be as fair and sweet and natural as one of
your dear wild flowers. Please tell us about her, and send her picture to us, and inform her that we will not allow you to
stop writing to us, for we have the first claim. One of my first thoughts after reading the astounding intelligence was,
What beautiful letters, poems rather, that fortunate young lady must have received If Mr. M. wrote such delightful ones to
us, how much more must these have breathed of the beauty and happiness of the world of John Muir Can you understand that?
I doubt whether I can myself. I should like to know very much whether you addressed her in the same language as that in which
you talked to the little water ouzel. Is she a bird or a flower, a fairy, a nymph, a disguised princess, or simply a woman
after Wordsworth's heart and your own? And this is the secret of your coming back next winter? Be sure that we shall be glad
to see you both and we shall like Mrs. Muir for your sake if not for her own. So you have met our friend Prof. Jordan. Kate
and I were in some anxiety lest you should not fancy each other. It has happily turned out to the contrary. The Professor
writes (you must not tell him that I told you this) that Mr. Muir is a brilliant man in his quiet way, in addition to which
he is a good fellow and I like him. That is tremendous praise from Prof. Jordan, for he rarely commends. I wish that you
could go abroad with our party in '81. Kate and I have made up our minds to go, though the trip seems visionary enough, looking
at it so far ahead. Next to finding new species of fish there is nothing the Professor likes so well as taking nice girls
and boys over historic mountains. These are his words. Do you want to hear something more about us? I have told you about
Merrill, what an active, nervous, enthusiastic bad and good fellow he is -- no bad habits, unless being extremely fond of
society and of excitement is one. We have a great many friends, a natural consequence of having lived here all our lives.
Occasionally every evening in the week is taken up, so you can understand that Indianapolis life is considerably faster than
it once was. I don't think it is right to spend one's time and strength in this way, but it is very enjoyable and how is one
to put a stop to it? I belong to five societies, The Woman's Club of Indianapolis , a French class for conversation and fun,
a Young Folk's Social Club, a Missionary Society and a Shakespeare class. With occasional papers and entertainments to get
up, these are not play, not all play, anyhow. Sometimes I think that I should like to go with Mama and the boys and some particular
girl friend to some beautiful quiet country and let society alone, except the sweet society of books and out-of-doors. Our
Vermont summer was after that style, and I'm sure that it was a happy one. But you must not think that we are unhappy here.
Far from it We only seem to accomplish so little on account of constant interruptions. Charles is now at Butler with Aunt
Kate and intends spending next year and the year after with Charley Merrill at Wabash College. They are splendid fellows,
if I do say it, who shouldn't, fond of study and fond of fun, and, shall I admit it? fond of girls. There were two little
girls whom they used to share, but were scarcely able to tell which they liked better. Charles complained to me once that
whenever he settled down on one, Charley flopped over too.It is very amusing, but it is to be hoped that they will get over
their nonsense before long. The other children are growing up fair and strong.